Ryerson Tomb

Ryerson, Sr. (Jan. 6, 1818–Sept. 6, 1887), a successful lumber baron, became wealthier in real estate. His son, Martin A. Ryerson (1856-1932), joined the lumber business after several years of practicing law. Ryerson, Sr. was a trustee at the Art Institute of Chicago, an incorporator of the Field Museum, involved in founding the University of Chicago and a member of its first board of trustees. The Ryerson Tomb, designed  by architect Louis H. Sullivan, melded two Egyptian-styled buildings, the pyramid and the mastaba. It is unique among Egyptian Revivals owing to its lack of overt, exterior Egyptian decoration.

photo and text by Joe Collier